How High-Income Earners Can Build a 7- and 8-Figure Investment Portfolio… and Ensure the Money Lasts for Generations

Wealth is no accident.

It’s not about lucky breaks or winning the lottery. It’s about strategy—taking advantage of the opportunities right in front of you, making smart, consistent decisions, and avoiding the common pitfalls that so many people fall into.

But here’s the truth:

Even the highest earners, the people pulling in $200K, $500K, $1M a year, often fail to build the kind of portfolio that truly lasts.

Why?

It’s not because they don’t have enough money.

It’s because they don’t have a plan.

You see, building a 7- or 8-figure portfolio isn’t about working harder or even earning more. It’s about making smart, strategic moves that align with your goals, your financial situation, and the opportunities you have available.

But, here’s where most people miss out: they don’t know what’s available to them. They get caught up in the noise—bad advice from social media, endless articles on the latest stock craze, or worse, they simply let their money sit, thinking they’ll deal with it later.

And then… later never comes.

Let me give you an example.

At Nvidia, they have this incredible employee stock purchase program (ESPP). Here’s how it works: employees can invest a percentage of their salary up to $25K a year, and they get to buy the stock at a 15% discount from the lowest point over the last 24 months.

Sounds good, right?

It’s better than good. It’s insane. I’ve had clients invest $25K and gain over $100K in profit in a single year. Imagine buying stock for $19 a share, when it’s now worth well over $100.

But you know what’s crazy?

Some employees don’t even participate.

They don’t know about it. Or they don’t understand how it works. And what ends up happening is they’re leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table—money that could have grown their portfolio, secured their financial future, and even set their family up for life.

All because they were confused or didn’t take the time to understand.

This isn’t just a one-off example. It happens everywhere. From 401(k) matching to after-tax Roth contributions, high-income earners—people like you—are missing out on life-changing opportunities every single day.

And it’s not just about missing out on opportunities. It’s also about understanding your risk, managing your downside, and being smart about where you put your money.

Here’s the Truth About Building Wealth: It’s Not Just About Making Money.

It’s about keeping it.

If you’re not careful, one bad move, one market downturn, or one concentrated stock position can wipe out everything you’ve built.

That’s why you have to think agnostically when it comes to investing. There’s no magic bullet, no one-size-fits-all strategy. What works for someone else may not work for you.

You have to look at your specific situation and say:

? Where are my opportunities?

? Where is my risk?

? What’s the smartest move I can make right now?

For some people, it’s maxing out their company’s 401(k) match or contributing after-tax dollars to a Roth 401(k). For others, it’s taking advantage of an incredible ESPP like Nvidia’s.

The point is—you need to understand what’s available to you and make smart, thoughtful decisions.

That’s how you build a portfolio that not only hits 7 or 8 figures, but keeps growing.

The Power of Low-Cost, Thoughtful Investing

Now, I’ll be real with you. I’m not here to chase the latest fad or jump on the next hot stock tip. That’s not how real wealth is built.

I believe in long-term investing through low-cost mutual funds and ETFs. Why? Because they work. They give you broad market exposure, they help you diversify, and they minimize fees—the silent killer of portfolio growth.

But there’s something else you need to know.

When you invest with a fiduciary advisor like me, someone who’s considered an institutional investor, you get access to institutional shares that most people can’t touch.

These shares have lower fees and better growth potential. It’s a small, almost hidden advantage, but it’s the kind of edge that compounds over time. And when we’re talking about building a multi-million dollar portfolio, every advantage counts.

Understand Your Financial Freedom Number

Let me ask you something: Do you know your financial freedom number?

It’s not some arbitrary figure. It’s the exact amount of wealth you need to live the life you want, without stress, without worry.

For some, that number might be $5M. For others, it might be $25M. The number doesn’t matter as much as knowing what it is. Because once you know that number, you can reverse-engineer your strategy to hit it.

You can create a plan that not only allows you to live fully today, but also plan thoughtfully for tomorrow.

This is about more than just money. It’s about freedom. It’s about choices. It’s about being able to say “yes” to what matters and knowing that your future, and your family’s future, is secure.

Consistency Is Key: Automate Your Wealth

If you want to know the real secret to building a 7- or 8-figure portfolio, here it is: Consistency.

I advocate for weekly or bi-weekly contributions, like clockwork, into all your investment buckets—401(k)/Roth IRAs, individual brokerage accounts, real estate, private equity, 529 plans, you name it.

Why?

Because wealth isn’t built in a day. It’s built over time, with small, consistent actions that add up to something massive.

And the best part? When you automate these contributions, you remove the human element. You’re not swayed by emotion. You’re not trying to time the market. You’re simply working your plan.

And here’s the thing: The plan is alive.

It changes. As life changes, as new opportunities arise, you’ll pivot. You’ll adjust. But you’ll always keep moving forward.

Manage Your Downside Risk: Protect What You’ve Built

When you’re building real wealth, you’re also building real risk.

If you’re not careful, concentrated stock positions can become ticking time bombs. I’ve seen it happen—someone’s entire portfolio tied up in one stock, and when it drops, their entire financial future drops with it.

You have to be smart about managing your risk. That means diversifying, protecting what you’ve built, and having a plan for the downside.

But it’s more than that. It’s about tax efficiency—making sure Uncle Sam doesn’t take more than his fair share. It’s about knowing when to sell, when to hold, and when to harvest losses to offset gains.

And it’s about working with someone who can see your entire financial picture and help you make thoughtful, informed decisions.

Plan for Generational Wealth: Think Beyond Yourself

Let’s talk legacy for a moment.

You’re not just building wealth for yourself. You’re building it for the people you care about—your family, your children, and maybe even their children.

But if you don’t have a plan in place, that wealth can disappear faster than you think.

This is where estate planning comes in. Setting up trusts, creating a legacy plan, and involving the next generation in financial discussions are all crucial steps in ensuring that what you’ve built lasts.

But here’s something most people miss: Financial literacy.

If you want your wealth to last generations, the next generation has to know how to manage it. They need to understand what you did to build it, and they need to be able to carry the torch.

The Power of Working with a Fiduciary

Look, building real wealth isn’t easy. There’s a lot to navigate—taxes, investments, risk, opportunities—and it can get overwhelming.

That’s why working with a fiduciary advisor is so important. A fiduciary is someone who’s legally obligated to act in your best interest. Someone who will take the time to understand your personal situation, your goals, and your risk tolerance, and who will create a plan that’s tailored specifically to you.

At the end of the day, you’re the CEO of your life. My job is to be your CFO, your trusted consigliere. I’m here to make sure that every financial decision you make is the smartest one possible for your situation.

Conclusion: Build, Protect, and Adjust Over Time

So here’s the bottom line:

If you want to build a 7- or 8-figure portfolio, you need to take advantage of every opportunity available to you. You need to diversify smartly, contribute consistently, and protect your downside.

And, most importantly, you need a plan. A plan that evolves with you, that grows with your life, and that helps you build a legacy that lasts for generations.

Let’s build that plan

Next Step: Gaining Clarity on Your Financial Future?

If you're curious about how these strategies might apply to your unique situation, I invite you to schedule a complimentary Wealth Strategy Session. In this no-obligation meeting, we'll:?

1. Review your current financial position and retirement goals?

2. Identify potential opportunities and risks in your existing plan?

3. Discuss tailored strategies that align with your specific circumstances?

4. Address any questions you have about optimizing your path to financial independence?

Following our discussion, we'll provide you with a complimentary one-page financial plan outline, highlighting key considerations and potential strategies specific to your situation.?

To schedule your Wealth Strategy Session, simply click the link below:?

Schedule Your Complimentary Wealth Strategy Session?

https://calendly.com/bfawealth/new-strategy-call?month=2024-09 ?

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About Mateo Dellovo?

Mateo Dellovo is the founder and lead advisor at BFA Wealth Management. With a passion for helping high-level executives navigate the complexities of retirement planning, Mateo brings a wealth of experience and a personalized approach to each client relationship.?

Mateo's journey in financial services began over a decade ago, driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact on people's financial lives. He quickly recognized the unique challenges faced by executives and entrepreneurs in planning for retirement, leading him to specialize in this area.?

Known for his ability to simplify complex financial concepts, Mateo has helped numerous executives optimize their retirement strategies, manage their equity compensation, and create comprehensive wealth plans that align with their long-term goals.?

About BFA Wealth Management?

BFA Wealth Management specializes in comprehensive financial planning and wealth management for high-level executives and entrepreneurs. We combine industry knowledge with personalized attention to help you navigate the complexities of executive compensation, retirement planning, and wealth preservation.?